Season for Surrender Read Online Free Page B

He’d changed everything for her sake. For the sake of the wager. Which came to the same thing.
    The lone disturbance during the sumptuous dinner was created by Signora Frittarelli, who used one of the candles on the table to light a tiny Spanish cigar during the first course. When Lady Alleyneham huffed her disapproval, la signora extinguished the cigarillo in her ladyship’s soup.
    That had brightened Xavier’s mood considerably.
    After the meal, he shepherded the men through port and cigars, then brought them together with the ladies for the inevitable game of cards in the drawing room.
    Lockwood drew him aside before he could join the card players. “I hope you are pleased with how the wager’s going, Coz,” he hissed. “You certainly went to great lengths to accommodate it.”
    Xavier shook Lockwood’s hand off his arm. “I’m pleased enough. As you see, Miss Oliver is here. And here she’ll stay for the next two weeks, through Christmas and the New Year.”
    His eyes caught on the subject of their conversation. She was standing at her aunt’s side, tall and cool in primrose silk, looking around the drawing room with as much curiosity as though she were at a zoological garden. Likely she’d never seen the polite world’s edges roughened by the likes of la signora . Well, he’d smoothed the way as much as he could.
    Too much for Lockwood’s tastes, for the marquess narrowed his eyes and clamped fingers onto Xavier’s arm again.
    â€œIf you weren’t my relation, Coz, I’d say you had cheated. Inviting dull sticks like Lady Alleyneham, and watery little maidens like Jane, just so Miss Oliver will feel more at her ease.”
    Deliberately, Xavier peeled Lockwood’s fingers from his arm once more. “If you weren’t my relation, I’d call you out for your accusation. As this is my house party, I can invite whomever I like. Our wager stipulated only that I invite Miss Oliver. You made no restrictions on the rest of the guests. Besides, I invited la signora , as you wished.”
    The singer had already proved amusing. She might yet provide a more intimate amusement, too. He hadn’t decided yet. Lockwood seemed interested in her, and as Xavier was annoyed with Lockwood for forcing their wager, he was inclined to thwart his cousin, out of pique.
    â€œThis isn’t over,” Lockwood said in a low voice. His eyes were now fixed on Miss Oliver, and his jaw set. “You needn’t think you’ve got this victory in your pocket.”
    â€œYet I always do,” Xavier said smoothly, to annoy Lockwood. The marquess glared at him before stalking toward Miss Oliver.
    Xavier had collected a deck of cards and seated himself at a round table by the time Lockwood returned with Miss Oliver and Jane in tow.
    Lockwood rolled his shoulders, limbering himself for hours of play. “What’ll we play tonight, Coz? Whist?”
    â€œSpeculation,” said Jane. “Whist is for old biddies, Lockwood.”
    Xavier savored the look of shock on Lockwood’s face for a second; diminutive Jane made an unlikely but effective markswoman. “Speculation will do admirably.”
    â€œAnd I’ll be the dealer,” Jane added brightly.
    â€œYou will not,” Xavier said. “You’ll gamble away your entire trust. I will be the dealer.”
    Jane looked mutinous. “I wouldn’t gamble away all of it. Besides, you’re not considering the possibility that I might win.”
    â€œYou won’t win,” Xavier said, helping the ladies into seats. He knew he wore his most insufferable version of Expression Number Four, Condescension, and was surprised when Miss Oliver only chuckled.
    â€œI don’t know why you won’t let me gamble, Xavier. It’s not as though the trust would help me,” Jane muttered, slumping in her chair. “Look at this horrible thing my mother made me wear.